This broad view of the world documents the author’s experiences—as a lighter-skinned American woman—with racism in the US and, later, throughout the world. As the author travels in and out of many lands, patterns of racism emerge and solutions seem evasive. This book takes us on the author’s journey across a complex and multicolored planet. It also chronicles her life’s work and records, in detail, the important lessons in international women’s reproductive health that she learned while working in other countries and cultures. Individual stories about the lives of women in developing countries are told by the women themselves and by the author. These are stories of the neglect of women’s health care needs and the illness and death that result. Most neglected are the darker-skinned women in developing countries.

The author’s experience in numerous developing countries documents racism by lighter-skinned people; an increased awareness of the neglect of women’s health in developing countries; and the need to continue to address the challenges of population and environmental issues.

The American public and US government leaders have not been adequately informed about or credited with the effective work in international women’s health that Johns Hopkins University and other international agencies have provided through support from the United States Agency for International Development. This book seeks to bring this valuable work to light.

This broad view of the world documents the author’s experiences—as a lighter-skinned American woman—with racism in the US and, later, throughout the world. As the author travels in and out of many lands, patterns of racism emerge and solutions seem evasive. This book takes us on the author’s journey across a complex and multicolored planet. It also chronicles her life’s work and records, in detail, the important lessons in international women’s reproductive health that she learned while working in other countries and cultures. Individual stories about the lives of women in developing countries are told by the women themselves and by the author. These are stories of the neglect of women’s health care needs and the illness and death that result. Most neglected are the darker-skinned women in developing countries.

The author’s experience in numerous developing countries documents racism by lighter-skinned people; an increased awareness of the neglect of women’s health in developing countries; and the need to continue to address the challenges of population and environmental issues.

The American public and US government leaders have not been adequately informed about or credited with the effective work in international women’s health that Johns Hopkins University and other international agencies have provided through support from the United States Agency for International Development. This book seeks to bring this valuable work to light.

For too many families, the postpartum period brings unexpected pain and devastation when depression entered the picture. The anticipated joy and pleasure of parenthood is replaced with feelings of fear, sadness, anger, confusion and resentment.

Research has shown that supportive relationships during postpartum depression treatment is associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms.  When partners have the right information, they will not only gain a better understanding of the illness and its impact, they will also feel better themselves.  Furthermore, we know that this understanding and capacity for support is directly related to his wife's sense of well being and control.  In my first book, “This Isn’t What I Expected: Overcoming Postpartum Depression” (Bantam, 1994), we included a chapter for husbands, which turned out to be an invaluable resource for the partners of women suffering from PPD.  After receiving feedback from the families I treat, I was shown that husbands needed support and information that is distinct from what their wives were seeking.  “The Postpartum Husband” offers that information with its handy reference-style format and addresses specific questions that may arise throughout the course of the illness.  As the husband feels more in control of the situation and his wife feels understood and cared for, symptoms improve and recovery is augmented.

For too many families, the postpartum period brings unexpected pain and devastation when depression entered the picture. The anticipated joy and pleasure of parenthood is replaced with feelings of fear, sadness, anger, confusion and resentment.

Research has shown that supportive relationships during postpartum depression treatment is associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms.  When partners have the right information, they will not only gain a better understanding of the illness and its impact, they will also feel better themselves.  Furthermore, we know that this understanding and capacity for support is directly related to his wife's sense of well being and control.  In my first book, “This Isn’t What I Expected: Overcoming Postpartum Depression” (Bantam, 1994), we included a chapter for husbands, which turned out to be an invaluable resource for the partners of women suffering from PPD.  After receiving feedback from the families I treat, I was shown that husbands needed support and information that is distinct from what their wives were seeking.  “The Postpartum Husband” offers that information with its handy reference-style format and addresses specific questions that may arise throughout the course of the illness.  As the husband feels more in control of the situation and his wife feels understood and cared for, symptoms improve and recovery is augmented.

Inspired by a startling midwinter dream of ancient hills and prehistoric shrines, the author builds her own stone circle in the wilderness and begins a journal of exploration into the nature of cyclical time, the sacred power of everyday, and the meaning of the eternal feminine. From the Art of Gardening to the Zen of Housepainting, Walking in Circles is a quiet chronicle of midlife passage and homegrown ways, reminding us that our lives are lived in moments, in the thoughts, memories, and rituals spun out in daily life. It is a book about time, the time of our lives, the remembered time we keep in our bodies and minds, the ticking time we use to measure out our days, and the hauntingly timeless time of dreams and moons and ancient stones.

Comments from Readers:

This book is incredible! It’s great reading. I loved it and it made me remember a lot of things about my own life and rekindled a desire to read. I especially enjoyed its vivid descriptiveness and tempo. - T.M. (jazz musician, Chicago)

How amazing and awesome when the truth of a life contains such wisdom. Your imagery is often breathtaking. Sensitive and thought provoking with unending layers of revelation. A brave experiment.     - J.S. (poet, Chicago, IL)

To say I liked your book would be a vast understatement; to say I loved it would be to leave so many important things left unsaid, like how it speaks to me and takes me to the place where I need to be. Thank you. If I could write, it would be what I would like to say and how I would like to say it. I read it straight through, stopping only to sleep.

- A.S. (businesswoman, Denver, CO)

I’m only 53 pages into it, but I had to stop to write and tell you- it’s great! The language is fresh, evocative, and poetic. Great work, beautiful storytelling.

- M.R. (psychotherapist, Chicago, IL)

Your writing is beautiful, lyrical. I love it. You’ve got a great book here.

- M.T. (college admissions counselor, Montpelier, VT)

Before I had a chance to get to your manuscript, something unusual happened. My husband, who rarely reads and never stays up past ten, picked it up and read late into the night, finally finishing at the breakfast table with the words, “Wow! You’ve got to read this book!” So I was psyched. The book is wonderful. Deep, rich, and vivid.

- B.A.C. (therapist, Lake Forest, IL)

A friend sent your book up a few weeks ago and I’m writing to tell you how much I enjoyed it. It was like being engaged in a long conversation with an old friend. All through the book I kept saying Yes! Yes! Now another friend is reading it and she says you’ve inspired her to begin writing a journal, and after that Bonnie will read it… you already have a little “fan club” up here in Baraga County.

   - M.D. (artist, Baraga, MI)

Inspired by a startling midwinter dream of ancient hills and prehistoric shrines, the author builds her own stone circle in the wilderness and begins a journal of exploration into the nature of cyclical time, the sacred power of everyday, and the meaning of the eternal feminine. From the Art of Gardening to the Zen of Housepainting, Walking in Circles is a quiet chronicle of midlife passage and homegrown ways, reminding us that our lives are lived in moments, in the thoughts, memories, and rituals spun out in daily life. It is a book about time, the time of our lives, the remembered time we keep in our bodies and minds, the ticking time we use to measure out our days, and the hauntingly timeless time of dreams and moons and ancient stones.

Comments from Readers:

This book is incredible! It’s great reading. I loved it and it made me remember a lot of things about my own life and rekindled a desire to read. I especially enjoyed its vivid descriptiveness and tempo. - T.M. (jazz musician, Chicago)

How amazing and awesome when the truth of a life contains such wisdom. Your imagery is often breathtaking. Sensitive and thought provoking with unending layers of revelation. A brave experiment.     - J.S. (poet, Chicago, IL)

To say I liked your book would be a vast understatement; to say I loved it would be to leave so many important things left unsaid, like how it speaks to me and takes me to the place where I need to be. Thank you. If I could write, it would be what I would like to say and how I would like to say it. I read it straight through, stopping only to sleep.

- A.S. (businesswoman, Denver, CO)

I’m only 53 pages into it, but I had to stop to write and tell you- it’s great! The language is fresh, evocative, and poetic. Great work, beautiful storytelling.

- M.R. (psychotherapist, Chicago, IL)

Your writing is beautiful, lyrical. I love it. You’ve got a great book here.

- M.T. (college admissions counselor, Montpelier, VT)

Before I had a chance to get to your manuscript, something unusual happened. My husband, who rarely reads and never stays up past ten, picked it up and read late into the night, finally finishing at the breakfast table with the words, “Wow! You’ve got to read this book!” So I was psyched. The book is wonderful. Deep, rich, and vivid.

- B.A.C. (therapist, Lake Forest, IL)

A friend sent your book up a few weeks ago and I’m writing to tell you how much I enjoyed it. It was like being engaged in a long conversation with an old friend. All through the book I kept saying Yes! Yes! Now another friend is reading it and she says you’ve inspired her to begin writing a journal, and after that Bonnie will read it… you already have a little “fan club” up here in Baraga County.

   - M.D. (artist, Baraga, MI)